Development of Dilated Esophagus, Sigmoid Esophagus, and Esophageal Diverticulum in Patients With Achalasia: Japan Achalasia Multicenter Study

Persistent body-weight change on achalasia and peroral endoscopic myotomy: a multicenter cohort study

BACKGROUND

The distribution of body weight in patients with achalasia and after peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) has not been investigated. The role of body weight assessment after treatment remains unclear.

METHODS

Using the multicenter achalasia cohort, the frequency of underweight (body mass index [BMI] < 18.5 kg/m2) and overweight (BMI ≥ 25.0 kg/m2) and their associated clinical characteristics were analyzed. After POEM, risk factors for insufficient- (underweight persistently) and excessive- (responded to overweight) weight gainers were investigated. The correlation between BMI-increase rate and severity of esophageal symptoms post-POEM was evaluated.

RESULTS

Among 3,410 patients, 23.0% and 15.7% were underweight and overweight, respectively. Factors associated with underweight were higher age, female sex, severe symptoms, high lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure, and non-dilated esophagus (all p < 0.01). Longitudinal analyses revealed that weight gain post-POEM was achieved after a long duration (≥ 12 months; p < 0.01). In 528 patients post-POEM, the frequency of underweight reduced to 8.3% (p < 0.01). Risk factors for insufficient-weight gain (36.1% of underweight patients) included low BMI (p < 0.01) and high LES pressure (p = 0.03) and conversely for excessive-weight gain. Machine learning models based on patient characteristics successfully predicted insufficient- and excessive-weight gainers with an area under the curve value of 0.74 and 0.75, respectively. Esophageal symptoms post-POEM did not correlate with BMI increase.

CONCLUSION

Underweight is not solely a condition of advanced achalasia. After POEM, insufficient- or excessive-weight gainers are not rare and can be predicted preoperatively. Body weight change is an independent nutrition parameter rather than a part of the assessment of residual esophageal symptoms.

Efficacy of laparoscopic cardiectomy combined with side overlap anastomosis for the treatment of terminal achalasia

To investigate the safety and short-term effectiveness of laparoscopic-assisted cardiectomy with side-overlap esophagogastric reconstruction for the treatment of terminal or end-stage achalasia, patients with end-stage achalasia treated with laparoscopic-assisted cardiectomy with side-overlap esophagogastric reconstruction were retrospectively enrolled. The clinical data, surgical data and follow-up were analyzed. Among twenty-five patients enrolled, the achalasia type St was present in 12 (48%) patients, type Sg in 9 (36%), and type aSg in 4 (16%). The surgical time ranged 60-180 min (median 100 min) with an intraoperative blood loss 20-200 ml (median 50 ml). Five (20%) patients experienced complications within a week after surgery, with fever (> 38.5 ℃) in two (40%) patients within 3 days after surgery, abdominal incision infection in one (20%), and anastomotic leak in two (40%). The postoperative hospitalization time ranged 8-44 (median 10) days. Follow-up was conducted 6-38 months (median 16) after surgery. Compared with the preoperative Eckardt score (7.64 ± 1.32), the Eckardt score was significantly (P < 0.01) decreased at one month (0.52 ± 0.87), 6 (0.84 ± 1.11) and 12 (1.23 ± 1.23) months after surgery in all patients. The Eckardt score in type St was significantly (P < 0.05) smaller than in type Sg or aSg at 6 and 12 months after surgery. Seven patients maintained an Eckardt score 0 with complete relief of their symptoms. The effective rate was 100% for type St, 88.8% for type Sg, and 75% for type aSg. The effective rates at 1 month, 6 and 12 months after surgery were 100% (95% CI: 100% -100%), 96% (95% CI: 87.7 -100%), and 92% (95% CI: 80.6 -100%). Two patients were diagnosed with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) at the end of the follow-up. The cumulative incidence of GERD at 1 month, 6 and 12 months after surgery was 0, 4% (95% confidence interval or CI: 0-12.3%), and 8% (95% CI: 0-19.4%). In conclusion, the laparoscopic-assisted cardiectomy with side-overlap esophagogastric reconstruction is safe and effective for the treatment of end-stage achalasia, and the effect is significantly better for achalasia type St than for types Sg and aSg.

Recent Advancements and Future Perspectives of Per Oral Endoscopic Myotomy

Per oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) has emerged as a preferred approach for the treatment of idiopathic achalasia and various esophageal motility disorders, offering a minimally invasive alternative to traditional laparoscopic Heller's myotomy. Over the past decade, POEM has solidified its status as the primary therapeutic choice in these conditions through constant improvements. Its evolution has been marked by continuous progress, driven by the integration of innovative technologies and sophisticated techniques. Notable advancements in the techniques include the advent of shorter myotomies and sling fiber-preserving gastric myotomies. The introduction of novel image-enhanced endoscopic techniques, such as red dichromatic imaging and much safer bipolar devices, promises to enhance safety and reduce the technical demands of the POEM procedure. Furthermore, significant strides have been made in understanding gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) following POEM, enabling the differentiation of "true reflux" from acidification resulting from fermentation through manual pH tracing assessment. This distinction aids in identifying cases necessitating treatment with proton pump inhibitors. Other treatment strategies of post-POEM GERD have expanded to the incorporation of NOTES fundoplication and device-assisted fundoplication if the necessity arises. This comprehensive review delves into recent developments in POEM, encompassing technical variations, the assessment and management of post-POEM reflux, outcomes in special populations, and future prospects. By exploring these facets, we aim to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of POEM, shedding light on its evolution and the promising directions it is poised to take in the field of third-space endoscopy.

Achalasia phenotypes and prediction of peroral endoscopic myotomy outcomes using machine learning

OBJECTIVES

High-resolution manometry (HRM) and esophagography are used for achalasia diagnosis; however, achalasia phenotypes combining esophageal motility and morphology are unknown. Moreover, predicting treatment outcomes of peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) in treatment-naïve patients remains an unmet need.

METHODS

In this multicenter cohort study, we included 1824 treatment-naïve patients diagnosed with achalasia. In total, 1778 patients underwent POEM. Clustering by machine learning was conducted to identify achalasia phenotypes using patients' demographic data, including age, sex, disease duration, body mass index, and HRM/esophagography findings. Machine learning models were developed to predict persistent symptoms (Eckardt score ≥3) and reflux esophagitis (RE) (Los Angeles grades A-D) after POEM.

RESULTS

Machine learning identified three achalasia phenotypes: phenotype 1, type I achalasia with a dilated esophagus (n = 676; 37.0%); phenotype 2, type II achalasia with a dilated esophagus (n = 203; 11.1%); and phenotype 3, late-onset type I-III achalasia with a nondilated esophagus (n = 619, 33.9%). Types I and II achalasia in phenotypes 1 and 2 exhibited different clinical characteristics from those in phenotype 3, implying different pathophysiologies within the same HRM diagnosis. A predictive model for persistent symptoms exhibited an area under the curve of 0.70. Pre-POEM Eckardt score ≥6 was the greatest contributing factor for persistent symptoms. The area under the curve for post-POEM RE was 0.61.

CONCLUSION

Achalasia phenotypes combining esophageal motility and morphology indicated multiple disease pathophysiologies. Machine learning helped develop an optimal risk stratification model for persistent symptoms with novel insights into treatment resistance factors.

Characteristics of Esophageal Motility and Associated Symptom Profiles in Patients with Esophageal Diverticulum: A Study Based on High-Resolution Impedance Manometry

BACKGROUND

Esophageal diverticulum (ED) is an uncommon structural disorder with heterogenous manifestations and elusive pathophysiology. Our aim was to investigate esophageal motility and associated symptom profiles in patients with ED based on high-resolution impedance manometry (HRIM).

METHODS

Consecutive patients with ED referred to our motility laboratory between 2015 to 2022 were identified in our electronic database. All patients were evaluated based on an upper endoscopy, HRIM, and standardized symptom questionnaires. Patients with ED were further stratified into upper, middle, and lower (epiphrenic) cases. Esophageal motility was evaluated with HRIM and the updated Chicago Classification v4.0.

RESULTS

Twenty-four patients with ED (9 upper, 4 middle, and 11 epiphrenic) were analyzed. Patients with ED were generally older (mean: 65 ± 13.3 years) and predominantly women (58.3%). Most ED cases were unilaterally located (95.8%) and left-side predominant (62.5%). Mean symptom duration was 20 months (range: 1-120) and the most common symptoms were dysphagia (70.8%) and regurgitation (37.5%). Erosive esophagitis was noted in 16 patients (69.6%), while barium stasis was noted in 5 patients (20.8%). Fourteen patients (58.3%) were diagnosed with esophageal motility disorders using HRIM, with achalasia being the most common diagnosis (n = 5, 20.8%). Patients with epiphrenic diverticulum had significantly higher symptom scores and achalasia prevalence.

CONCLUSION

Patients with ED tended to be older and was associated with a high prevalence of EMD. A multi-disciplinary evaluation, including complete anatomical and motility surveys, may help clarify the underlying pathophysiology and tailor further treatment strategies.

A retrospective study of 3D measurement and analysis applied in the morphological evaluation of achalasia cardia

Background

Achalasia cardia (AC) is defined as a disorder of esophageal motility whose diagnostic gold standard depends on high-resolution manometry (HRM). The invasiveness of HRM can cause difficulties in diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up for patients with AC. Thus, we aimed to investigate the function of 3D reconstruction and measurement to prove the wide application of this alternative non-invasive approach for AC.

Methods

A total of 126 patients with AC and 40 healthy subjects in Tianjin Medical University General Hospital from January 2018 to October 2022 were enrolled in this retrospective study. Chest CT images of these subjects were used to reconstruct the 3D models of the esophagus, stomach, spine, left crus, and right crus. Measurements of esophagus length, volume of esophagus, gastroesophageal insertion angle (His angle), max thickness of esophageal wall, esophagus maximum transverse and longitudinal diameter, esophagus-spine angle, and spine-lower esophageal sphincter (LES) angle were applied based on the models.

Results

Retrocardiac esophagus length, volume of esophagus, max thickness of esophageal wall, esophagus maximum transverse and longitudinal diameter, thoracic esophagus-spine angle, and spine-LES angle in the AC group were higher than those in the control group (all P values <0.05). Among the three subtypes of AC, thoracic esophagus length, intra-abdominal LES length, volume of esophagus, His angle, esophagus maximum transverse and longitudinal diameter, and thoracic esophagus-spine angle all presented statistical differences (all P values <0.05). Correlation analysis revealed that manometric types were positively associated with His angle [r=0.196; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.009, 0.372; P=0.028] but negatively associated with volume of esophagus (r=-0.480; 95% CI: -0.639, -0.310; P<0.001), esophagus maximum transverse diameter (r=-0.551; 95% CI: -0.679, -0.400; P<0.001), esophagus maximum longitudinal diameter (r=-0.518; 95% CI: -0.649, -0.366; P<0.001), and thoracic esophagus-spine angle (r=-0.324; 95% CI: -0.479, -0.157; P<0.001).

Conclusions

This study successfully presented the differences in esophageal length, volume, thickness, and angles between healthy subjects and different AC subtypes on the basis of 3D reconstruction and measurement. Thus, 3D model and measurement can be regarded as a good support for further research and make a valuable contribution to developing non-invasive approaches for AC management.

Atypical presentations and pitfalls of achalasia

Achalasia is a rare disease with significant diagnostic delay and association with false diagnoses and unnecessary interventions. It remains unclear, whether atypical presentations, misinterpreted symptoms or inconclusive diagnostics are the cause. The aim of this study was the characterization of typical and atypical features of achalasia and their impact on delays, misinterpretations or false diagnoses. A retrospective analysis of prospective database over a period of 30 years was performed. Data about symptoms, delays and false diagnoses were obtained and correlated with manometric, endoscopic and radiologic findings. Totally, 300 patients with achalasia were included. Typical symptoms (dysphagia, regurgitation, weight loss and retrosternal pain) were present in 98.7%, 88%, 58.4% and 52.4%. The mean diagnostic delay was 4.7 years. Atypical symptoms were found in 61.7% and led to a delay of 6 months. Atypical gastrointestinal symptoms were common (43%), mostly 'heartburn' (16.3%), 'vomiting' (15.3%) or belching (7.7%). A single false diagnosis occurred in 26%, multiple in 16%. Major gastrointestinal misdiagnoses were GERD in 16.7% and eosinophilic esophagitis in 4%. Other false diagnosis affected ENT-, psychiatric, neurologic, cardiologic or thyroid diseases. Pitfalls were the description of 'heartburn' or 'nausea'. Tertiary contractions at barium swallows, hiatal hernias and 'reflux-like' changes at endoscopy or eosinophils in the biopsies were misleading. Atypical symptoms are common in achalasia, but they are not the sole source for diagnostic delays. Misleading descriptions of typical symptoms or misinterpretation of diagnostic studies contribute to false diagnoses and delays.

Risks of refractory chest pain after peroral endoscopic myotomy in achalasia-related esophageal motility disorders: short-term results from a multicenter study in Japan

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The etiology of chest pain in achalasia-related esophageal motility disorders and the frequency and risk factors of persistent chest pain after peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) remain unclear.

METHODS

A multicenter cohort study including 14 hospitals was conducted to elucidate the characteristics of patients with chest pain and the efficacy of POEM.

RESULTS

Consecutive cases of achalasia-related esophageal motility disorders included 2294 (64.2%) and 1280 (35.8%) patients with and without chest pain, respectively. Among the 2107 patients with chest pain who underwent POEM, we observed complete remission in 1464 patients (69.5%) and nonremission in 643 patients (30.5%), including a partial response in 619 patients (29.4%) and resistance in 24 patients (1.1%). Multivariate analysis revealed that advanced age (odds ratio [OR], .28), male sex (OR, .70), prior treatment (OR, 1.39), and sigmoid type (OR, .65) were related to the prevalence of chest pain. Long disease duration (OR, .69) and esophageal dilation (OR, .79) were related to decreased severity. POEM improved patients' quality of life that was hindered by chest pain. Early onset (OR, 1.45), advanced age (OR, .58), male sex (OR, .79), prior treatment (OR, 1.37), and posterior myotomy (OR, 1.42) were associated with nonremission after POEM; high-resolution manometry (HRM) findings and myotomy length showed no statistical significance on pain etiology and persistence after POEM.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence and severity of chest pain were dependent on age, sex, disease duration, prior treatment, and esophageal morphology rather than HRM findings. The efficacy of POEM is satisfactory; however, residual pain was often observed. Excessively long myotomy can be avoided, and anterior myotomy may be recommended.